Day 3

The Guest Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

1

Ask the class to discuss how ambiguity is built into the structure, plot, and themes of the story

(5 minutes)

Ambiguity is built into "The Prisoner" from the first to the last page of the story. Student's should notice how no character's motivation is ever made clear, or how there is no clear reason for much of the action of the story, from the Arab's murder to Daru's choice at the end of the story. The meaning of symbols are left open ended, and the characters fail to communicate clearly or understand each other.

2

Ask the class to discuss the symbolism of the crossroads where Daru leaves the Arab on his own.

The Guest Questions and Answers

The French gendarme, Balducci, directly represents the French occupation of Algeria. His presence serves to remind Daru of his ties to France, as well as a warning that breaking those ties will result in both trouble and danger.

All the three characters in the story must make important decisions. Camus introduces these decisions with heavy themes attached to them. Does Daru take the Arab to the police station or does he defile his own moral code? Why does the prisoner...

I think the story is an existential look at the absurd nature of human belonging. Despite this indifference, human beings must survive. They continue to build meaning and pursue certainty, even though such aims are impossible. This combination of...